Expert: Kenton Scott - 12/25/2007

Question
I bought a Buescher Aristocrat euphonium/baritone, serial # 642795, with a curved, adjustable bell and three valves.  The mouthpiece receiver has Germany stamped on it and accepts a Bach ss #5 moughpiece.  The bell is 11 3/4 inches.  The sound is "bigger" than my starter Conn baritone, but not quite as "large" my collegiate Besson compensating euphonium with a Bach ss 6 1/2 al.  Is it an euphonium [in spite of the small mouthpiece]?  Should I use a 6 1/2 al with it?

Answer
Well, there is no clear - undisputed - definition of what is a baritone and what is an euphonium.  (or tenor horn, or Bb bass)  But, to me the best definition is how much of the tubing is cylindrical versus how much is conical.  So, those horns that have the tuning slide prior to the valves are baritones in my mind and those that have the main tuning after the valves are euphoniums.  

The 6.5 is a starter or compromise mouthpiece. You might want to experiment with other mouthpieces and see which work well for you.